1: A female ‘Ibeji’ twin figure (for a more detailed explanation see cat. no. 50) displays the typical style of the town of Erin, from the region of Oyo: it is small, with a proportionally large, wide head, large eyes, small nose, small mouth and narrow lips. It features the typical tribal scarification marks on both cheeks and is decorated with three necklaces out of small white and red glass beads. Age-related damage (insect damage?) on the hairstyle and on the left hand. With traces of earlier ritual offering (powdered redwood), standing on round base plates. H: 24.5 cm.
2: The female ‘Ibeji’-figure represents the style from Oke Onigbin in the territory of Igbomina (eastern Yoruba territory): tall, slim, with high towering hairstyle, elongated face and with an inserted lower lip post on the chin. The high hairstyle was originally blue-coloured (by means of ‘bluing’). It features scarification marks on both cheeks and is decorated with four necklaces out of white and coloured glass beads, two waist-chains and an anklet of metal on the right leg. Remains of sacrificial offerings (powdered redwood) on the body. Age-related damage on the hairstyle and on the left arm (insect damage?), as well as a crack along the dorsal line. H: 29 cm.
3: The male ‘Ibeji’ figure also shows the style of Oke Onigbin, in the territory of Igbomina: tall, slim, with blue-coloured towering hairstyle and lower lip post (or scarification marks) on the chin. On a carved necklace around his neck this ‘Ibeji’ wears two triangular Islamic amulets on the chest and on the back, rendered in relief. Otherwise no jewellery and no scarification marks on the face. No remains of sacrificial offerings. Age-related damage on the hairstyle, at the round base plate, on the left foot and on the surface of the body (earlier insect damage?). H: 27 cm.
All three ‘Ibeji’ figures display a good, old, partially shiny patina due to long period of usage. Early 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Marcel de Schryver Collection, Geneva; Austrian Private Collection.

Lit.: ‘Ibeji. The Cult of Yoruba Twins' by George Chemeche, fig. 78, 86, 88 and 177, 178.